Sometimes we are told to ‘keep our religion to ourselves’ or that religion ‘has no place in the public sphere’, but Christianity has necessary public implications.
As we read Ephesians 2 and 3 (and hear it preached on this weekend) we see that God has brought us back into peace with him through Jesus Christ, we have gone from death to life. But Paul doesn’t end there. If we have been brought near to God and at peace with him, then the clear implication is that have also been brought into peace with one another.
In providing salvation by grace through Christ the barrier between peoples has been torn down. No longer are we to compete against one another in virtue or accomplishment. We are all equally sinners, all equally saved by grace. This isn’t just an accidental implication either, it is stated that God’s purpose was ‘to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace.’
This should spell the end to racism and discrimination. Instead of fending people away from our country (refugees) shouldn’t we be welcoming them just as Christ has welcomed us?
During this week we held the ‘race that stops a nation’. Others controversially protested, declaring instead that we are ‘the nation that stops the races’.
How are you letting the grace of God impact your private and public life? How are you going at living in the humility and grace that Christ has demonstrated for us towards ALL women and men? We won’t do it perfectly, but we ought to look to Christ and give it our best!
Tag: peace
We’re all ‘feeling very Olympic today’ to quote that fantastic movie, Cool Runnings. Did you know that the five interlaced Olympic rings represent the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games? The Games strive to create peace and harmony in our world through sport. The games are a great spectacle and do a lot of good – but like every human activity they are riddled with corruption and sin (just ask the Russians).
The only thing that can bring true peace is actually a person – Jesus Christ. What humanity needs isn’t a common cause, or a common stage, but somehow to deal with our common problem of sin. Jesus lived the perfect life and died on the cross to bear our sin in our place. Then he rose from the grave, conquering death and securing peace with God, hope and eternal resurrection life to all who trust in him.
So let’s enjoy the Olympics this month, but let’s enjoy peace with God and life in Jesus Christ for eternity!
Yours in Christ,
Ben
